" Every Tuesday at this time we talked with -- our fox sports baseball insider. Joining us now on the eighteenth tee hotline from fox sports where he is a covering the NL CSI out in Los Angeles is Ken Rosenthal I can I don't. -- Looks like the -- Phillies have put up a pretty good hold on this series at least for the moment."
" You would think there's an oft stated date -- and Cole Hamels pitches Mark Ellis. You of course is the Phillies -- but as we saw. Young -- candidate is aren't invincible and the -- to play the games but. If you think about the way this series plays out there. Hamels tomorrow even in the news they go back home granted it's only Myers and -- land but. I seriously doubt the Dodgers when -- two games ago."
" You said young left handed aces aren't invincible neither. Are designated hitters Superman and the one guy who's been the Superman of the post season the last five years and David Ortiz how do you explain. His slump in the post season so far -- it."
" Michael when we gathered in the spring training. Next year I fully expect to hear. A lot of talk about David Ortiz -- 2%. Because of the rest the rest of the way he's. And -- going it would mean anything now and certainly came back and wait but. Wrist injuries are notoriously tricky for hitters and I'm not saying hurting. I'm just saying that perhaps there's a weakness or just something isn't totally right. That's the only way I can explain. I don't believe it deep Ortiz in law and I just believe that physically you're not where it needs to."
" And if you look at another guy who like don't think is physically where he needs to be on the Red Sox. I think that's pitcher Josh Beckett who I am convinced is not healthy."
" I spoke with a status today actually mentioned this on the record at last night. And he told me that Beckett is not getting through his pitches. And that indicate and that indeed is having oblique problem. I can't Skadden but it might be his -- to know if your oblique and you'd -- to help in any mention just like that he's not getting. So. Our -- do not deceive us with that. He clearly is not himself. And even if it was just -- and not the actual injury something's not right."
" Welcome the Red Sox when the series. -- Josh Beckett. Being hurt."
" It's going to be difficult there's no question about it but so much depends on today obviously. And I hate that state the obvious like Adam. But think about. As down as people of Boston might be right now. It down -- Red Sox and everywhere aren't -- the they win today behind Wakefield. It's -- And you've got Lester -- one of those games and Daisuke pitched up. So it is partly of gloom -- situation under those circumstances. But as we've seen as the White Sox and it is the entire league has he holds season. The rays Perry county. -- In the they have like about from the most and we've seen this from the start of spring training as well. They've got an edge about the I was just reading this -- Petersburg paper being Garza stated that. He felt he was overlooked going into the start because all the attention rightly so surrounding Lester. Any at redwood Ortiz said. In which accurately portrayed the -- is looking not themselves with little bit scared in game one. These guys. -- those things and they react to them not but I will -- up by standing up and I go back to. Fight with the Yankees in spring training incident to the Red Sox all of these things. Went to. Becoming. The club that it is today. And it's not just about having to -- they -- that every single -- but it's about -- little bit of inner toughness. And that's what they've shown relating to piracy."
" We talked about guys who were performing at less than a 100% and you and I are both in agreement that back it is not. A 100% Michael -- of the opinion that that Scott Kazmir isn't either right now."
" Yes and Davis Garrett spoke with the guys covering a series. Did it he doesn't believe Kazmir is right. I had another stat about three weeks ago say that his delivery was very mechanical. And that indicated -- scout. That has there was protecting against the injury or perhaps even bothered by something. Most people think that -- it is. Dealing with some kind of physical issue. His sliders and flat all year he really has not been right. So yes I would agree you know that there's something going on there as well based on what I'm here."
" One guy we know we think hasn't hurt is is Jacoby Ellsbury he's really struggling. The Red Sox lineup that might affect a lot of guys struggling only three guys. Pedroia. Youkilis and -- are liable. Right now at the plate. Is it something that the rays are doing from what you conceded that the with the way the rays are pitching to them what it's just a good old fashioned slump from a lot of guys."
" I didn't see yesterday's game because -- that that is it. But earlier in the season there was concern. About. Getting pounded inside. Game and having to adjust to that. Again having now watched he's gained as closes I might -- Can't tell you the pattern he'd pattern and I don't know that that would be doing now or as you suggest Michael. If it indeed just the slump. What do we have to remember. -- want the unit. At this moment. Is to set the bar awfully. And expectations Rose to the point. Where it was possible. To be active player throughout his career. When he did in the post season last year it was like comet's orbit it was. Down. And now we're seeing him as a normal player having a normal adjustment. It's such comments they were he's that he's getting good swings. Just not getting hit which is good side because he did not feel defeated. By the same time it's results oriented business as you know."
" And I think I've had some of the the greatest arguments and fights of my life with my own brother. Michael and I have knockdown drag out fights virtually every day and we're still I think pretty friendly. Get ready yeah that's a prelude to saying. We got an opportunity to read your piece that's going to be post on fox sports today. And both of us when we credit but what the hell is Rosenthal --"
" I mean at this through today and yesterday. John from the -- collar about 13. Brought this up dale had left the bu at that point you prepared to broadcast game. I'm alone with John from the -- he brought this up but it John. I think you're crazy. Now I dismissed job in the -- but it's not our insider are based."
" I don't put. All we got -- we've talked but I just don't. I guess about my first question before you'd you'd you'd tell me the premise. Your your -- and how are you came right at my first question is. Did any player that's coming your source that a player or that players would you aside and tell you I don't want to go to Boston because it's racist."
" No but that. Feelings to exist the most complex. I would like it -- elaborate absolutely. I'm watching the game against. What and Angels third. Change I wrote a very going to be a commitment and -- about the character. And about how they've developed -- winning culture that really. It's something very special -- you know at this moment. We're not celebrating at but. The way they took it to the Angels really very impressive. And it just kind of showed that they can mixed in all kind at places. And really. Still prevail. Now but come to learn over the years. Through. A lot of people critical of the media when you're right about character. And when you read about certain guys having more character and others. That sometimes it's coat. And sometimes you have to check yourself. Ankle back in a okay what might St. F retrospective on a Connecticut one of those internal check. And look at the red practice. Oh my gosh they're almost all -- That you read the count carefully -- people never seem to read these com carefully mr. I point out that is probably just flew. And certainly it what it was and the color line. And I would I -- with them and -- exactly I'm not in any -- Jets in the the Red Sox racist that to an extension of what happened in the past. The concern I have in the reason I wrote the column. Because if that the team continues to look like it. In future years you may happen issue we have certain we agencies say you know what I'd -- go someplace else. That is not a very provocative. Based on what we're seeing here."
" You know about I know Michael level that told our players on America's is provocative I."
" Understand and and believe me this thing went through a lot of editing in a lot of but over the last few days has been going up about a week as far as resurgent right. And I know anytime you. What are the R word it it. Blown up missed distorted whatever I don't care in one problem I have is that people they helping you -- which. Well I can write whatever I want in this country I hope you don't have to agree with. But Michael you've been a -- All he try to do his comments is make people think and I think that was my goal you'd just say hey what's going on here. Look at it is as objectively as -- can and just kind of attack it that way."
" Yeah I think. You're right that the goal list is to make people think and to get them awful long held positions and long held views. But in this case when you talk about use that you just add a few minutes ago not appeased but that does. Free agents might look at Boston look at the composition of the roster and say. I want to go somewhere else. Oh okay insanity through my point as. There is not much of a somewhere else and a sport that is 92%. Caucasian."
" not 92 All-Star right not by 98. Presented -- Americans in the -- in another point of minorities in all over. The sport from all kinds of places back in at. Sport has ever been more diverse than it is right now."
" You could say the Red Sox have never been -- been more diverse if you look at. On the composition of the roster where all the players for."
" They've been more diverse they're more diverse two months ago. You're talking about because they traded Manny and I'll just tell you why we got to this place this -- snapshot in time as I call and -- again. It is. The topic that I know people are going to really shake their heads that they have written on that I'm just asking. People take a look at it and you tell me and Michael you can better after the -- it -- in America. You tell me that if you're African American free agent or a Dominican -- Just can't beat them or anybody and you look at the make of that he. That it doesn't make you think twice that is the reality that's all --"
" Okay permit for me and this is this is something. I wanted to speak for a baseball player. I'll think about. My profession now tell me this despair at the profession being in the media. If for example. Your network network asked me to work for. I would say -- Got Joe -- Get Tim McCarver. Jack Ken Rosenthal the studio got -- is that -- the last -- got Eric Carroll she got Mark Grace. And Kevin Kennedy. I want to work there I mean is that is that a fair -- does that mean."
" I don't know that the two analogous here's -- but a lot of white folks there. Right there -- that this. And the reason I don't believe it's the same is one."
" That there would be. At least from my perspective -- this kind of -- your perspective some real appeal to having. African American based or any minority -- on network that's. There is important in doing net net job. Number two. Baseball the sport which I at liberty to from February to buck total in there is much more paternal aspect. Probably than any other sport. And again. You're right maybe some guys won't make that decision that way but I'm saying it is maybe some will end -- just raised the question. And you can kill -- raised the question that's fine."
" I'm -- people it cannot you know of course but just talking about it but. It just struck -- sometimes when your comments -- strike you. That lead to. Commonly ideas and -- an exchange in the discussion. You know attack as if thing you know percentage of people read this and let them all the at. But I just want people."
" Well let's let's go back to your point in your exactly right. That that you spend more time with your teammates that you do your family it's every single day it's. It's 24 hours a day -- seems like your -- in that group and it -- and it is a very fraternal organization. And you go back to the incident two months ago. The guy they traded was breaking apart the family the guy they acquired. As has fostered the family atmosphere and they didn't care what coloring wise."
" No question that the column that part of it is an account there about why they treated -- It was -- about race quite obviously it was about his desire for money."
" inning and it was many shooting his way out of town."
" Of course and again. Tell but I just urged people -- because. We don't know that treatment. But the right thing to do and we all know that this just all kind of happy with a badly and that's where they all right now. But if they stay where they are over record time or even this off season it's certain players they want. Thinks twice about coming here because of also the perception of the city that many old on the outside. In -- in the commonwealth. Then. Again you know to the players or that the issue would happen that way I don't know. But I'm merely raising the prospect of."
" And two things can and to seriously ask your question I'm a baseball player. I'm an African American baseball player and Boston is courting me what I would do by if I heard the stories about lost it. What I would do is dial up Coco Crisp. The lone African American on the roster -- say let's go to dinner in Boston let's talk. I then I would I would call all of the if this this town has a problem. With non white people or players. I'm when -- contact as many nonwhite. People on that team that I can to get some information."
" I guess there's like an incident where it for a you stick from those people that he'd be contacting you to be unanimous beat favorable response I don't."
" From the people -- caught on the Red Sox. We're not one."
" From the people plated. Which is getting unanimously positive response."
" About two people on the team right now I I -- I know wouldn't get a short. I would get a positive response from. What your positive response from Pedro Martinez would get a positive response from mobile on. I wouldn't get a positive response from Manny Ramirez I would get a positive response from Cecil Cooper. "
" Okay. What I'm saying it is right now and to some degree. Whether we like it or not it is still an issue for some players all and -- Terrell."
" In order to -- point can it it it wouldn't be unanimous in you know what I would say. If someone told me that if I if I talked of five players and three Evans said. Is the best place all they wanted to do as well and if you winning it if you winning you play hard they love you if you lose and you play hard they don't love you. And two of them said. It is the most races placed on the planet I hated I couldn't stand it you know I would -- That's my experience in the United States of America some people think this place is cool some people don't. I can deal with that especially if they're paying me more money then the team in Chicago or the team in Los."
" By the way if you ask David Wells he tell you that same thing about Boston to irradiated here."
" Ortiz and bingo here's a bank might want think it would create. Grant if the -- that it went over another offered get the player. In most cases."
" About not just money -- appointment call it's also about -- for. And if you go get similar money in the space you leave -- the more comfortable. And go to the place you -- more comfortable."
" You made a point in the peace and and and I can let this going against the human -- the piece about. About. White. You know easy to get along with what -- and I forget the phrase Michael Michael -- the race to a unassuming conformist white."
" Right dice that they might eat perception forming with the trade of me. Fairly or not."
" Yeah fairly or not Ramirez as messy divorce but the Red Sox could raise suspicions. That the team prefers a certain type of player unassuming conformist white."
" Do you do you means a -- the."
" And after that I believe it if I wrote I believe it."
" So you don't you'll do believe that that's what they're Foster that there they're trying out to."
" Now they'll. I said he could -- suspicions among some people that that's what they want. At the lightly but now I said that of these very clearly see the one -- handle -- just leave as people would really work work. Okay if you read it word for word you can disagree. And you -- think com followed at freedom bring up had no problem with that but just pleased. Read it and read it worked work because believed every word and table --"
" I'm coming at it and -- right about. Bringing up topics that make people think so I'm going to bring up top a topic and I hope it makes you that. It in baseball we just got the report from Richard -- it used to be here at northeastern now is that report. He's -- baseball. In the numbers are there a point 2%. Players are black down from eight point 4% in 2006. The lowest level in the last two decades so these numbers come up a lot baseball. If people ask. Why is it why isn't why is it that we don't have more African American players in baseball and -- Why do you think. Other sports. Don't get the same questions."
" Like hockey. We never talk about why aren't average addition of -- American players baseball sport. Well all broke -- loud and have a tradition well of course but historically it has been at the vanguard. About -- Well how come you don't outcome and I am not basketball or why not -- widely right client they're more white players and basketball is basketball. The basketball did have a tradition. A white players right. -- black players. Became the majority the glad that I."
" Believe I understand we've known that and it certainly fair question. The reason this gets brought up is just but I -- history and yeah idea that this what was once at the front of the line. You know what here again. Those questions that our -- I think bishop yet. Because you have to check out you have to wonder what's going it would hit the Red Sox right up by the way. In here. Internal thought process say hey we okay which -- are we doing everything right. We promoting ourselves because you know what even most progressive people from I'm thinking -- And that's all. I'm talking about a year and as far as baseball is concerned he can ask the question because -- why we anyway. American players and you do what they're doing. To some degree which is opening academies used to -- trying to revive middle of the sport as well are. First look great history. That America is patient and beyond that this in the burns yeah. This sport some of the most eloquent problems with the best leaders and best character of people in the sport McKinney and offer up my aunt. Are African American players those guys if they want to really change it. Other guys baseball should use to really sell and committed at."
" Yeah you know I think it is in this is this is pretty interesting on so many levels one. I think there's. There's -- an assumption amassing you're making this assumption. There's an assumption -- out there or perception that. There aren't black players in baseball. Because. Black players have been prevented from baseball or you know somehow it's not attractive enough to an African American kids to play baseball. But I I think a lot of people ignore this. Some kids just don't want to. Do you can you can bring an RBI programs -- kids. Instead of playing baseball like in the 1950s and 1960s maybe they -- my only way out is is baseball or football or basketball in those kids. The 21 century might say I want to be an engineer want to be an accountant. I want to play basketball. I want to be a general manager of the baseball team I want to play want to have a long record a longer career. I think Dole's. Professions are being ignored and people just look at it and say. There aren't many blacks in baseball why."
" Well the other thing we don't talk about is that there aren't many Americans in baseball period. In the reason for that in my opinion. Is because the sport is so typical -- And not just from a skills stamp. But also just organize -- Getting eighteen people like being part of the league it's not an easy -- to -- 2.0 shoot hoops all that right. Football at that obviously. A lot of people around but baseball is a difficult sport trying to get into in -- and and it days where things are faster faster. Any attention spans are shorter. Certainly doesn't hold the same -- it. That it wants it and that's the problem too but. When you guys ask hey why are we asking these questions and other sports about the lack of African American. -- a baseball writer so I can't speak to that but I will tell you those questions should be yeah I believe you have to ask all these questions all the in order could be. The best you can be in order to really be trying to get the best athlete -- people into sport."
" Could you have written this exact same article. About the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. -- And I and I don't mean past perception I'm I'm talking about you know. Why aren't their more African American baseball players on the Angels -- I have very -- Our -- and it Horry -- or more prominent African American players on the Philadelphia Phillies."
" Well if you look at the article. The Phillies have a similar mixed. To the -- that's right. The only difference is that two of the biggest north RF. -- wrong but in terms of sheer numbers it's pretty much. Now the Dodgers and the raised much different. They're both about half minority rule would be we would consider minority all kinds of different minorities. Hispanic African American. Whatever so. I get a -- written about the Phillies but because Boston has this history because Boston. So as giddy at the perception among some that not friendly to African American people now white people. That's why it's more relevant and that's stated very. It's just it just I says this the Red Sox carry a special --"
" It's gonna try to parse your words but early on your in your piece you talk about the Sox being left with -- almost entirely. Caucasian roster quote unquote you then proceed to list the ten. Non caucasians on the roster that's not almost entirely Caucasian. Well."
" Two Japanese. That's on the active and it to be active -- its roster also put. Actually that out of course goal is Cuban and."
" And an aunt and goes hurt like Lowell and Lugo --"
" But I mean -- talk you know it's at right now I -- so that's a snapshot right now and I'd say it's a -- snapshot in time the Winston. I agree with the I'm not saying that there rate I'm not a second say quite the opposite. But. I'm just asked in the question will this be an issue for other players."
" You know there's one thing about your peace. That has given me an idea. I have an idea and and maybe you -- moderate this. We get moderated together I think they're really should be a panel. Among. African American baseball players are maybe among. African American athletes in that should be on it just like of the Patriots last game. Of the 2007 season because it was so big it was on every network market presidential debate. This should be the should go across the line just BI it to be on fox it should be on ESPN TNT. And in this this panel. We would talk to African American players. About there experience. In that country. Because the one thing that drives me crazy. This hearing about the city of Boston. Being racist. As if if there is there's a capital Washington Boston is Washington DC when it comes to. Racism is the capital of of racist cities throughout the nation but it is the best racist that he."
" I don't let it. -- but as a great point and."
" Players players really should talk about their experiences throughout the country because."
" What we -- fine is yes we need to be better as a country when it comes to race relations. -- in Boston absolutely I agree I've had experience I've had experiences in Boston. Cleveland. Chicago Pittsburgh where I went to school Los Angeles. Texas all over and I I think more people should talk about their experiences and replace and maybe when you quote -- quote Gary Matthews junior. And -- quote. Barry Bonds. Maybe the follow up to them and I donated to the original -- the original credit that maybe the follow up to them as guys. Tell me what it's like for you and other places."
" Michael. Obviously you're correct and you'd think that Eric anyone think that all. Vastly greater racial problem as we all know. -- all been around. Eight innings and -- in my experience. We're not the same as anybody else's but even I keep things as a white person and a great. That's not the issue here. Issue is that perception. And I challenge you -- me at that perception."
" Don't you write that again I can't -- an extension might be wrong. And just I agree with 200% you're right the perception is there that's why I say this Illini I autographs they haven't changed the perception."
" And it wasn't. In my opinion my place accomplish that lap perception that brought it to go and connected into wages went because of not. Relevant to the -- what I'm trying to talk about is this perception and exists still about the city. And the combination of that in the team being what it is right now whether that would be. What you're saying is an art."
" So it was all relatively bloodless wasn't. We hey we gotta discuss Elton."
" Yeah you're right about the light that you better be prepared to. Answer questions I understand."
" When this is going to be posted. Addition post nineteen minute. You know what Michael tried to get to -- by your MVP while you want -- That's a likely out there. Delete delete your delete your embarks not a big room and I."
" Again people of course are entitled to disagree and say whatever they want but. -- it just got and one on the line in there if this struck me. I would think it would strike certain now my players at America west well."
" We always appreciate time -- tucked -- next week. I can get Rosenthal brought to you by AT&T with more bars in more places. Switched to the wireless network with the best global coverage ATT. Or world deliver."
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